Case filling machine



y 1943. A. c. DAVIS CASE FILLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 10,1939 w AL J T 1R4 May 11, 1943.

A. I c. DAVIS 2,318,927

CASE FILLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 10, 1.959 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Allan 111:5.

May 11, 1943. A, c, DAVIS CASE FILLING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet :s

Fileq Nov. 10, 1939 May 11, 1943. A. c. DAVIS CASE FILLING MACHINE FiledNOV. 10, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 11, 1943 CASE FILLINGMACHINE Allan G. Davis, Baltimore, MIL, assignor to F. A. Davis & Sons,Baltimore, Md.-, a partnership Application November 10, 1939, Serial No.303,727

18 Claims.

The invention relates to a machine for fillin cases with bottles. In theoperation of the machine, the filled bottles are advanced and depositedin the cases somewhat as described in my co-pending application No.256,068, filed February 13, 1939, which includes a bottom supportingplate beneath the magazine from which the bottles are dropped by way ofa chute on to a dropping plate which dropping plate 8 is subsequentlywithdrawn dropping. these bottles by a second step into the case.

While the machine illustrated in the previous application was, and is,highly satisfactory in operation, solving and overcoming manydifiiculties of the prior art, there are instances in which the'bottles, generally of partially defective construction, are broken bythe shock incident to dropping, necessitatingstoppage of the machine toremove the fragments of the broken bottle, or, at times a bottle iscracked, resulting in leakage and, in some instances, the shipment ofdefective cases which must be replaced. The term, bottles, has been usedmainly for convenience and brevity and because bottles are more subjectto breakage from impact due to dropping than metal and paper packages.

In the further improved apparatus herein described, the shock incidentto dropping has been reduced to the minimum, completely eliminating thetendency to break and crack the bottles. Other improvements have beenadded whereby the tendency of the bottles to hang on the dividingpartitions between the chutes is overcome and misplaced bottlesadvanced.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated so much of a casefilling machine of the type above identified as is necessary to acomplete understanding of the construction and operation of theimprovements of the present invention, the

machine shown being, at present, regarded as the downwardly in thedirection of the arrows from the line vi2 in Fig. 1. Portions of themachine. particularly the frame, are also shown in section on said line.

Fig. 3 is a view looking at the dropping mechanism from the line 33 inFig. 1, and lookingin the direction of the arrows, one of the boxes orcases being shown in section on said line.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section in a plane parallel to the plane of Fig.1, and looking in the same direction, the view being a section on theline 4-4 in Fig. 3, looking to the left in said fi re.

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail views of the lost motion coupling.

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic side elevation corresponding to Fig. 1, showingthe application of the features to be described.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, each of which is used to indicatethe same or similar parts in the different figures, the constructionshown comprises a frame I, and a magazine 2, which, as shown, is of thecylindrical type rotating in clockwise direction, as seen in Figs. 1 and4, with a step by step motion. The magazine is driven by mechanism, anassembly of which, for the purposes of this application is shown in Fig.'7. .The particular type of magazine and the driving mechanism thereforare not essential to the present invention viewed in its broader scope,it being particularly noted that other forms of presenting means adaptedto deliver the bottles to the chute and dropping mechanism may beadapted for use to a greater or less degree of satisfaction with thenovel features to be described.

The cases designated by reference numeral 94, and having spacedpartitions 94' are presented in receiving relation to the droppingmechanism by means of a conveyor 3.

It is also to be noted that the present apparatus in the formillustrated comprises an arm 5 which is oscillated about the center ofthe magazine, the arm or lever shown being similar to that disclosed inthe co-pending application. The drawing also includes a ratchet and pawlor similar means 14 whereby the oscillation of the arm 5 or otherreciprocating motion is transmitted to the magazine 2 as a step by stepforward clock-wise motion thereof neither the direction nor the detailsof the mechanism is material. The crank 1, motor M, and connecting rod 6whereby the arm 5 is oscillated are disclosed diagrammatically in Fig. 7because the present invention relates mainly to the dropping mechanism.

The bottles'B being supported on the supporting plate 63 are, in theform shown, advanced with a step by step motion by the magazine 2. beingmoved from the plate 63 at the forward end of the same indicated by 63'.At this point, the support 63 is deflected downwardly, or a downwardlydisposed plate is introduced, providing a slide plate 64' which formsthe rear wall of the chutes I34, which are separated by guide platesI35.

It is of importance to note that in this machine, the guide plates I35are provided adjacent the slide plate 64' and immediately forwardly ofthe same with slots it which are shown as tapering downwardly from thetop edges I35" of the plates I35.

These slots. as shown, and preferably are of downwardly reducing taper.The slots ll serve a funnel like function in guiding the bottles, someof which may be laterally displaced, into the adjacent chutes I34, asomewhat exaggerated illustration of this function appearing in Figs. 3and 4.

It is also of interest that the plates it! of the series of platesI35, 1. e., those on each side of the center plate, are deflectedinwardly as to their top portions.. This deflection serves to leadoutwardly and downwardly the end bottle of the row B to give theincreased spacing of the bottles B in the cases as compared tothe'contact row B. This deflection permits the two bottles near thecenter, as well as those at the ends of each row, to become separatedfrom th position at B in Fig. 2 to the position 18 in the cases, Fig. 2.

The dropping plate 1' which, in operation, is closely similar to thedropping plate 8 of the co-pending application, normally rests at itsforward edge 8 on the top edges of the side walls of the case 94, beingfilled, or attimes on the case immediately following the one justfilled. These cases are, in the normal operation of the ma-. chine, fedcontinuously upwardly to the left in Figs. 1 and 4 by means of conveyor3 assisted by other mechanism, a form of which is shown in theco-pending application.

The plate is mounted on or provided with rearwardly extending arms 9,shown as pivotally connected at H! to the oscillating arms 5 whereby acontinuous oscillation of the supporting plate 8, along the cases 94, isaccomplished.

While the plate 8 serves a supporting function in the previousapplication, its function in the construction here shown is mainly toprevent dislocation of the bottles when and if a case partition 94" maybe displaced or destroyed. It also helps to clear the dropping area andserves an important purpose, in instances where the cases are partiallydefective, the dividing partitions being missing or displaced. In suchinstances the case feeding mechanism of the previous application whichengages the partitions might fail to sufllciently advance the defectivecases or fail to properly position them, or some of them, to receive acorresponding load of bottles. The plate I, in this instance, engagesthe rear side of the bottles of the row just ahead of the area about tobe loaded thereby serving to hold the case, or the next compartment 94"therein, in receiving relation to the bottle dropping mechanism, i. e.,thus engaging the bottles, the plate 8 advances the cases to receivingposition for the next row of bottles, dropping back to the originalposition on the back stroke of arms 5.

' An important function, that of reducing the shock which tends to breaksome of the packages, most particularly, defective bottles, as they aredropped, is performed by the bottle easing fingers l5, best illustratedin Figures 2, 3, and 4, and particularly, the latter. These fingers whenadvanced beneath the bottles as in Figure 4, in the cycle of operationsto be described project through slots IS in the slide plate 64', eachslot It being in the center of the rear (see Figure 3) end wall of oneof the chutes I34. The said slots l6 extend upward almost vertically,being a little wider to project forwardly and upwardly through the upperportions of slots II, the fingers being advanced in this way just priorto the dropping of each transverse row of bottles B. The rows of bottlesin the position for advancement and dropping in this way are indicatedby reference character B in Figure 2, and in other positions by B, andthe transverse bars of the magazine which advance the bottles areindicated by reference character l1.

As the magazine advances, at each forward swing of arms 5, the front rowof bottles of the row B is advanced beyond the bottom supporting plate83 and the bottles of the row as they desccnd are suitably-separated inlateral direction by the guide plates I".

The funnel slots II have a guiding function in this connection as thebottles B come to engage and bear on the easing fingers is, which havebeen advanced through slots It as previously described. These fingers IIthen move downwardly and backwardly to the bottom position illustratedin dotted lines in Figure 3, when they closely approach plate I, whichslides on the top edge of the cases. The fingers are then withdrawn tothe rear, the row of bottles B being deposited in a corresponding row ofcompartments of the case 84. The cycle of raising and advanc-- ing,lowering and retracting, is repeated for each row of bottles. This cyclemay be referred to as an orbital motion.

While this motion of the easing of fingers is highly desirable, and ofthe maximum of efiectiveness. as already pointed out, in easing thebottles downwardly with the minimum shock, it

' may be yaried without abandoning the useful functions The means foroperating easing fingers it in the manner described will now bediscussed:

In accordance with the construction shown. this mechanism includes a camfollower arm II which is shown in substantially upright position nearthe bottom of Figure 1 at the right. This cam follower arm is pivoted ona stud 19 mounted in a slot l9 shown as extending in a verticaldirection in the frame. The slot is for adjustment purposes. The leveri8 extends above the pivot l9 providing an upper arm l8.

The easing fingers II are secured to a rocking bar 20 which is suitablymounted, being, in the form shown, pivotally supported on theoscillating arms 5. This bar extends across the machine from oneoscillating arm 5 to the other (see Figure 4). This rocking bar 20 isprovided with an actuating roller 2| mounted on a bracket arm 22 securedto the rocking bar 20. The actuating roller 2| rolls on the upwardlydisposed flat web of an angle iron 24, see Fig. 2, secured to an arm 25,sam figure and Fig. 1, which arm 25 is mounted to swing about the pivotis, being connected to the arm I8 adjacent pivot IS in any suitablemanner allowing suilicient play, as by a lost motion coupling 21 whichis shown as concentric with the pivot or stud IS. The coupling 21, Figs.5 and 6, is of a well known type the teeth 28 and 29 of each respectivecoupling memtitions or plates I35 near the slide plate 84', to

ber 39 and 3| being separated by spaces wider than the teeth on theopposite coupling member.

The arm 25 is resiliently supported in the uppermost position relativeto arm i3 permitted by the lost motion coupling 21. Such resilientsupport may be afforded by a spring 32, see Fig. 2, which is secured atone end to a pin 33 seated forwardly in the arm 25 and at its other endto a pin 31 seated in the upper end of the upwardly projecting arm I3 offollower arm i8.

The follower arm l8 has already been described as pivotally mounted on astud l9 seated in the frame. At its lower end which extends welldownwardly below stud I9, said arm I! is provided with a cam follower 38which is actuated by a cam 39 on a shaft or stud I. The shaft 40 alsocarries a sprocket ll which is suitably connected to the cam 39 tooperate same, the sprocket 4| being rotated by a chain 42 which as inthe co-pending application may be driven by an electric motor and drivesa lateral conveyor for the bottles with which sprocket ll and the otherelements of the machine are timed. Chain 42 is driven by a motor M whichoperates arm and magazine 2 as aforesaid, the details which localitythis tendency is confined.

While the fingers I! are advanced and retracted in the direction of themotion of the cases by the oscillation of the arm 5. they are heldyieldingly in their upper positions relatively to arm l3, by the spring32. Their position is further controlled by the cam 39 which is so timedin its operation on the follower 38, that the arm I3 is swung forwardly,i. e., to the left in Fig. 1, raising the roller 2| which runs on theplate or angle 24 supported by the arm 25, as the roller 2! in turnrocks the rocking bar 20 moving the fingers to the uppermost positionpreviously described. This uppermost position coincides with theadvanced position above described, the fingers being advanced andelevated to the positions in which they are shown in Fig. 4.

Thereafter, the casing fingers l5 are controlled by the cam 39, follower38, arm 13, arm 25 and roller 2|, rolling on said arm 25, whereby saidfingers move in accordance with the cycle already described, i. e.,descending from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 4, with thebottles of the drive being of no particular importance. 7

The fingers i5 and plate 8 are effective-in clearing of misplacedbottles from the area just above the case 94, which is in receivingposition, and the spring 32 provides for the yielding of the casingfingers IS in case the dropping area becomes obstructed by a misplacedbottle or in any manner.

In this way, breaking of the driving mechanism for these fingers isavoided, and the spring also may yield very slightly to prevent shockin' the transfer of the bottles downwardly to the case, but the fingersdo not materially depart from the motion resulting from cam 39, roller38, roller 2 I, arm 25 and angle iron 24. The primary purpose of lostmotion coupling 21 and spring 32 is to provide for yielding to preventbreaking in case of obstruction above orin front of fingers IS. Thespring 32 normally takes up all play at the coupling 21, keeping theteeth 29 and 29 of said coupling in contact as shown in Figure '5.

It is of interest that when the arms or levers 5 are oscillated toimpart to the magazine its motion, the easing fingers [5 are advancedupwardly to the left in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 1, incorrespondence with the motion of the bottles B as they pass along thebottom supporting plate 63 so that the fingers l5 are advanced into andacross the path of the bottles of each row B as they are dropped fromthe support 63. The fingers l5 move downwardly easing each row ofbottles down to the case and are then withdrawn completing the cycledescribed for each row of bottles dropped. a

It may be noted at this time that the rows of bottles as they pass alongthe support 63, the bottles in each row, being close together asindicated by the row B in Fig. 2, are separated at the entrance to thedropping area D in Fig. 1, separation being accomplished by the guideplates I35, exaggerated illustration of this operation appearing in Fig.3, and, as already pointed out, the bottles at this time are guided totheir positions in the channels I34 by the plates I35, the slots l0therein having a funneling tendency in combination with the cylindricalsurfaces and the round ends of the bottles which are of a greaterdiameter than the slots. These slots also serve the very importantfunction of preventing the bottles from hanging on the parresting on thefingers tothe position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. The motion tothis point in the cycle. thus reached, is accomplished during theadvance of the arms to their forward position. From the bottom position,the casing fingers i5, shown in Fig. 3, are withdrawn by the back strokeof the arms 5 which, in the application above cited, are connected tothe magazine by a ratchet and pawl device so that the magazine is movedforward with a step by step rotary motion as the arms reciprocate.

The construction and operation of the improvements which constitute theinvention having been fully and specifically described, I would have itunderstood that the-specific terms herein are used in a descriptiverather than in a limiting sense, the construction shown being capable ofwide variation and such variation being contemplated by the invention,the scope of which is more fully pointed out in the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for filling compartment cases with bottles, bottlepresenting means adapted to receive and advance successive transverserows of bottles, the bottles corresponding in number to rowsof-compartments in the cases, means for moving the presenting means toadvance the botties with a step by step motion, means for supportingbottles as they advance, said support terminating intermediately of thepath of said bottles whereby the bottles are dropped in rows,

means for positioning the cases with a row of bottle compartmentsbeneath the termination of said support, guiding means for leading therespective bottles of each row from said support to the respectivecompartments, easing fingers for checking the downward motion of thebottles, means timed with the presenting means for raising the fingersand advancing them into the path of the bottles as they are dropped,said latter means providing a downward motion of the fingers to checkthe downward motion of the bottles into the case.

2. In a machine for filling compartment cases with bottles, a magazineadapted to receive and advance successive transverse rows of bottles,the bottles corresponding in number to rows of compartments in thecases, reciprocating means for moving the magazine to advance thebottles with a step by step motion, means for supporting bottles in saidmagazine, said support terminating intermediately or the path of saidbottles where. by the bottles are dropped in rows, means for positioningthe cases with a rowpi bottle compartments beneath the termination 01''said support.

guiding means tor leading the respective bottles of each row to therespective compartments, easing fingers checking the downward motion orthe bottles, means for advancing the fingers into the path of thebottles, the fingers being connected to the said reciprocating meanswhereby the fingers are timed withthe magazine and advanced into thepaths of the bottles as dropped to the case, yielding means for holdingsaid fingers in elevated position when they are advanced, meansproviding for the lowering of the fingers and of the bottles thereon tora considerable portion of the downward motion oi the bottles wherebythey are eased downwardly toward the top the case, the saidreciprocating means serving to withdraw said fingers oppositely to themotion of the bottles in the magazine after each row of bottles islowered.

3. In a machine of the type described, a support for bottles, means foradvancing the bottles along the support in transverse rows correspondingto rows of compartments in a case, said support terminating in the pathof the bottles whereby the bottles are dropped in rows, guiding meansfor the bottles beyond the termination of said support,- and means forpositioning cases with rows 01' compartments beneath said guiding means,easing fingers for reducing the speed of the bottles as dropped andmeans for advancing the same into the path of the bottles immediatelybeyond and beneath the termination of said support, whereby said fingersare moved forwardly in the direction of the bottle motion and upwardlyinto said path, said means then moving the fingers downwardlysubstantially to the top of the cases, and thereafter withdrawing themfrom their lowered position oppositely to the direction of bottlemotion.

4. In a machine of the type described, a support for bottles, bottlepresenting means and reciprocating means for actuating the presentingmeans to advance the bottles with a step by step motion along thesupport in transvers rows corresponding to rows 01' compartments in acase, said support terminating in the path or the bottles, whereby thebottles are dropped in rows, guiding means for the bottles extendingdownwardly from the termination of said support, means for positioningcases with rows 01' compartments beneathsaid guiding means, easingfingers, means for moving said fingers forwardly in the direction of thebottle motion and upwardly toward the support said means then moving thefingers downwardly in time with the dropping oi the bottlessubstantially to the top of the cases, and thereafter withdrawing themopposite- 1y to the direction of bottle motion in their loweredposition, said means for operating the fingers being connected to themeans for imparting to the presenting means a step by step motion.

5. In a machine for filling cases with bottles, a presenting member, areciprocating member, means connecting the reciprocating member to thepresenting member to move the bottles with a step by step motion, asupport for the bottles in the presenting member terminatingintermediately of the path of the bottles moved thereby, means forpositioning a case beneath the termination of the presenting member, andguiding means for the bottles from said termination extending downwardlytoward the position of the case, means for easing the bottles downwardlytrom said termination to the case position comprising easing fingersconnected to the reciprocating member for advancing the fingers beneathsaid termination and retracting the fingers in time with the dropping oithe bottles, means for raising and lowering said fingers comprising aspring imparting a resilient upward 6. In a machine for filling caseswith bottles,

a presenting member, a reciprocating member, means connecting thereciprocating member to th presenting member'to move the bottles with astep by step motion, a support for the bottles in the presenting memberterminating intermediately oi the path of the bottles moved thereby,means for positioning a case beneath the termination of the presentingmember, and guiding means for the bottles from said terminationextending downwardly toward the position of the case, means for easingthe bottles downwardly from'said termination to the case positioncomprising easing fingers for the bottles connected to the reciprocatingmember for advancing the fingers beneath said termination and retractingthe fingers in time with the dropping of the bottles. means for raisingand lowering said fingers, comprising a spring imparting a resilientupward tendency to said fingers, a cam controlled arm having means forlimiting the motion of said fingers, means in connection with saidspring, and means for raising said fingers in time with the dropping ofthe bottles comprising a cam follower member connected to said fingers,means moving in time with the reciprocating member for raising said camtollower and releasing it permitting it and the supporting means. todescend, lowering the bottles and easing them downwardly toward thecase, the means for raising the cam follower comprising a track thereforand means connected to the source of power for the machine for raisingand lowering the track in time with the reciprocating member.

7. In a machine for filling cases with bottles, presenting means, andreciprocating means operating the presenting means to advance thebottles with a step by step motion, a support for the bottles, saidsupport terminating intermediately of the path of said bottles as thusmoved by the. presenting means, guiding means for the bottles extendingdownwardly from the termination oi the support, in the direction ofadvance. means for positioning cases for the bottles in alignment withsaid guiding means, means operated in synchronism with saidreciprocating means and advanced beneath the bottles as they leave thesupport, and moving downwardly with the bottles to check their downwardmotion into the case.

8. In a machine for filling cases with bottles, presenting means, andreciprocating means operating the presenting means to advance thebottles with a step by stepmotion, a support for the bottles, saidsupport terminating interme-' diately of the path of said bottles asthus moved by the presenting means, guiding means for the bottlesextending downwardly from the termination of the support, in thedirection of advance, means for positioning cases for the bottles inalignment with said guiding means, means operated in synchronism withsaid reciprocating means and advanced beneath the bottles as they leavethe support, and moving downwardly with the bottles to check theirdownwaird motion into the case, said means for positioning thecasescomprising a member resting substantially on the top of the cases andoperated in synchronism with said reciprocating means adapted to engagethe bottles last deposited in a case to position the case for the nextdeposit of bottles.

9. In a machine for filling cases with bottles, presenting means adaptedto engage the bottles and to advance them in rows extending transverselyto the direction of advance, means reciprocating in the direction of thebottle advance and connected to the presenting means to operate the samewith a step by step motion, a support for the bottles in the presentingmeans terminating intermediately of the path of the bot ties as movedthereby, means for positioning cases beneath said termination, means forguid ing the bottles downwardly from the said termination of the supportto the cases, means for easing the bottles downwardly from the supporttoward the cases comprising bottle engaging members connected to saidreciprocating means to reciprocate therewith, to be advanced into andwithdrawn from the path of the bottles as they move downwardly from thesupport, means for are advanced and for lowering them in supportingrelation with the bottles in the forward position of said engagingmembers and immediately prior to withdrawal from said path.

10. In a machine for filling cases with bottles, the machine havingpresenting means for the bottles and reciprocating means operating thepresenting means to impart a step by step motion to the bottles, asupport along which the bottles are advanced with said step by stepmotion, the support terminating intermediately of the path of thebottles as engaged by the presenting means, guiding means extendingdownwardly from the support, means for'positioning a case in alignmentwith the guiding means to receive the bottles, means for easing thebottles downwardly from said support toward the cases, comprising meansconnected to the reciprocating means whereby the easing means areadvanced into the path of the bottles as they leave the termination ofthe support and means for retracting the easing means, a followeroperatively connected to said casing means, means for raising andlowering said follower and hence said easing means in time with theoperation of the reciprocating means and presenting means.

11. In a casing machine, means to support bottles, means beneath saidfirst-named means to support cases, an element rotatable on a horizontalaxis adjacent said bottle support to move bottles from the support todrop into the cases, an oscillating lever pivoted on said rotary elementaxis and operatively connected to said rotary element to drive thelatter step by step, means to'oscillate said lever, fingers pivotallycarried by said lever to ease the dropping movement of bottles, androtary cam means to swing said fingers vertically relative to saidlever.

raising said bottle engaging members as they 12. In a bottle casingmachine, a support for upright bottles, a case support beneath saidbottle support, means to move a bottle from said :bottle support to dropinto a case on said case support, a guideway extending substantiallyvertically downwardly from the bottle support toward a case on the casesupport to define a path of dropping movement for a bottle, andmechanism to retard the droppingmovement of a bottle comprising a memberoscillatable on a horizontal pivot to operate said bottle moving means,and mechanism to retard the dropping movement of a bottle comprising amovable retarding element first movable forwardly and up wardly intosaid path of dropping movement to be'contacted by the bottom of adropping bottle, then movable downwardly along said path while stillbeneath the bottle bottom, and finally movable out-of said path, saidretarding element being carried by said oscillatable member so that theforward and rearward movement of said retarding element will 'becontrolled by said oscillatable member, and a rotary cam to control theupward and downward movement of said retarding element.

13. In a machine for filling cases with bottles, bottle presentingmeans, reciprocating means operating the presenting means to advance thebottleswith a step-by-step motion, means to move said reciprocatingmeans in the direction along which the bottles are advanced and to thenwithdraw the reciprocating means in the opposite direction, a supportfor the bottles which are engaged by the presenting means, said supportterminating intermediately of the path of the botties as thus moved bythe presentingmeans, guiding means extending downwardly and forwardly inthe direction of bottle advance from the ter mination of said support,means for positioning cases in alignment with said guiding means, easingfingers movably connected to said reciprocating means whereby saidfingers are advanced in the direction of the advance of the bottles andthen withdrawn in the opposite direction, and means for raising thefingers as they are advanced and lowering them with the bottles prior totheir withdrawal from said path.

14. In a casing machine, means to support bottles, means to supportcases beneath said firstnamed means, movable means to move bottles fromsaid bottle supporting means to drop into the cases, an oscillatingelement to actuate said movable means, easing fingers movably carried bysaid oscillating element, means to move said oscillating element andeasing fingers transversely of the path of dropping movement of thebottles, and means to move said casing fingers in a direction along theline of dropping movement of the bottles.

15. In a casing machine, means to support bottles, means to supportcases beneath said firstnamed means, movablemeans to move bottles fromsaid bottle supporting means to drop into the cases, 'an oscillatingelement to actuate said movable means with a step-by-step motion, easingfingers pivoted at one end thereofon said oscillating element, means tomove said oscillating element and easing fingers transversely of thecase support beneath the bottle support, means to push bottles from saidbottle support to drop into a case on said case support, bottle engagingmeans extending horizontally and transversely of said case support in aplane spaced above the case support by a distance at least equal to theheight of the cases and located below the bottle support, and means forreciprocating said bottle engaging means along the case support toengage the bottles last deposited in a case at a point on the bottlesabove the case to thereby cause the case to be advanced on said casesupport.

17. In a machine for filling cases, a bottle support, a case support, alever pivoted on a horizontal axis vertically spaced and substantiallyvertically aligned with respect to said bottle support, meanstooscillate said lever i'orwardly and rearwardly, means to push bottlesfrom said bottle support to drop into a case on said case support, saidbottle pushing means being operatively connected to said lever to beactuated for bottle pushing movement on the forward stroke or saidlever, and means extending horizontally from said lever and transversely01 said case support in a plane between the bottle support and the casesupport to engage the transverse row or bottles last deposited in a caseand thereby cause the case to be advanced on said case support.

18. A machine for filling cases with bottles having a member upon whichthe bottles may stand, means for advancing the bottles on said member inrows, and for causing the rows to drop at intervals from said member,the rows of bottles corresponding in length to the width of the cases,means for presenting the cases beneath said member and positioning eachcase to receive in turn the successive rows of bottles as dropped, untilthe case is filled, bottle supporting means beneath said member foreasing the rows of bottles into the cases, and means operated in timewith said bottle advancing means to advance said supporting means intosupporting relation with the bottoms of the bottles in each row as therow is dropped, and to then move said ALLAN C. DAVIS.

